By calculating the magnetic field distribution in a stacked pancake coil with use of finite element method and by taking into account the transport properties obtained in a short tape sample, we predict the electric field vs. current density, E–J, characteristics depending on the position inside the coil. The thermal quench behavior of the coil has been calculated by the heat balance equation taking into account the nonlinear Joule heating obtained by the E–J characteristics. Calculated results agree well with the measurements.